27 Oct 2008By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Sess Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Villagers threatened by the disappearance of Boeung Kak Lake due to real-estate project supported by a South Korean company, went to ask for assistance from the South Korean embassy in Cambodia.
About 200 people gathered in the morning of Monday 27 October, in front of the South Korean embassy. Their goal was to ask for an intervention from the S. Korean ambassador regarding an investment project by the Shukaku, Inc. The project has already proceeded to the filling of the shores of Boeung Kak Lake. The demonstrators, holding banners in Khmer, also asked that the company representatives hold a direct dialogue with the residents.
Kong Chhoeun, one of residents affected by the project, indicated that his presence, as well as those of his neighbors, was motivated by their readings of an article published by The Phnom Penh Post on 03 October. In that article, the newspaper quoted Pa Socheatvong, Phnom Penh deputy governor, as saying: “the South Korean company Shukaku, Inc. had decided to invest in this zone.”
Three representatives of the demonstrators were received inside the embassy compound for a half-hour discussion. However, the discussion did not lead to any result. “An embassy representative told us that the English-language newspaper did not quote the name of this company. However, if the fact is confirmed, the ambassador could intervene in favor of the residents,” a representative of the residents explained at his exit from the embassy. In its 03 October edition, The Phnom Penh Post did quote the name of the company. It even stipulated that the company is South Korean. On the other hand, the Korean embassy indicated that the name of this company is not on its list of S. Korean investors in Cambodia.
The investment project was signed by Kep Chuktema, the governor of Phnom Penh, in February 2007, and Lao Meng Khin, a CPP senator who represents the Shukaku, Inc. company. For the residents, information about this project remains murky. They are also thinking of turning to the Japanese embassy for help in their next demand because the nationality of this foreign company still remains murky, and Shukaku, Inc. sounds like a Japanese company name.
The Cambodian Appeal Court still did not hand out its official position regarding the complaints brought against the filling of the lake by the residents’ lawyer three weeks ago.
About 200 people gathered in the morning of Monday 27 October, in front of the South Korean embassy. Their goal was to ask for an intervention from the S. Korean ambassador regarding an investment project by the Shukaku, Inc. The project has already proceeded to the filling of the shores of Boeung Kak Lake. The demonstrators, holding banners in Khmer, also asked that the company representatives hold a direct dialogue with the residents.
Kong Chhoeun, one of residents affected by the project, indicated that his presence, as well as those of his neighbors, was motivated by their readings of an article published by The Phnom Penh Post on 03 October. In that article, the newspaper quoted Pa Socheatvong, Phnom Penh deputy governor, as saying: “the South Korean company Shukaku, Inc. had decided to invest in this zone.”
Three representatives of the demonstrators were received inside the embassy compound for a half-hour discussion. However, the discussion did not lead to any result. “An embassy representative told us that the English-language newspaper did not quote the name of this company. However, if the fact is confirmed, the ambassador could intervene in favor of the residents,” a representative of the residents explained at his exit from the embassy. In its 03 October edition, The Phnom Penh Post did quote the name of the company. It even stipulated that the company is South Korean. On the other hand, the Korean embassy indicated that the name of this company is not on its list of S. Korean investors in Cambodia.
The investment project was signed by Kep Chuktema, the governor of Phnom Penh, in February 2007, and Lao Meng Khin, a CPP senator who represents the Shukaku, Inc. company. For the residents, information about this project remains murky. They are also thinking of turning to the Japanese embassy for help in their next demand because the nationality of this foreign company still remains murky, and Shukaku, Inc. sounds like a Japanese company name.
The Cambodian Appeal Court still did not hand out its official position regarding the complaints brought against the filling of the lake by the residents’ lawyer three weeks ago.
7 comments:
May be people should treat this as a border dispute and lodge a complaint with UN councils. Then Hun Sen will react more quicker.
ALL Cambodians in Phnom Penh!
Please watch out for the human-caused disaster. It is coming from the north and north-west of Phnom Penh.
THE FLOOD!
It is now more than 1m high in some area of Khan Ruseey Keo as such Tuol Sangke, Phnom Penh Thmei which is just only hundreds of Metter from Tuol Kork Antena.
Hun sen won't intervence in this project or won't care about the water flood unleast the water doesn't flooded into his house.
dO MAIR AH hUN xEN cHOYMARAY!
I have nothing but shame for all those clowns running the country. Do they know anything about running the country? Their mentality is almost like beasts in the juggle. Their vision is only a step ahead; further than that they can't see. These leaders only bring Cambodia shame.
What do all of ya generally expect from a person who have so many PhDs without even attending one second in school?
The rotten tree of Democracy is openly progressing? The natural justice ain't lawfully suitable for da poors!
"Tom Tom, where'd you go last night?"
"I like Kien Svay, I LOVE BOEUNG KAK..."
F--k Ah Hun Kwang!
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